Many centuries ago it was only the local Monk, Priest or Minister who could read and write. He alone decided on the spelling of surnames when entering Baptism, Marriage or Burial records into the Parish Books. When he heard an unfamiliar name, he wrote it down as he heard it pronounced. As a result, many misspellings were recorded especially when the informant had a strong accent.

This O'Brien Website would not have been completed without extensive assistance from many sources. They know who they are and they know my sincere thanks and heartfelt appreciation.

This is the fourth family research project I have created.

I first concentrated on my father's paternal ancestors: the Dorgans of East County Cork, Ireland (www.billdorgan.com). I then focused on his maternal ancestors: the MacKenzies and McIntoshes of Pictou County, Nova Scotia and Ross-shire, Scotland (www.mackenziefamilytree.com). Next, I concentrated on my mother's paternal ancestors: the Gormans and Pomfrets of Lancashire, England (www.gormanfamilytree.com).

Like these three studies, this fourth project has been ten or more years in the making. During this time I have corresponded with distant family members, genealogists, historians and family researchers who were more than willing to share and exchange information by e-mail, snail-mail or telephone.

Some went out of their way to send photos, some traipsed/traipst (a good word of unknown origins used by the Irish/Newfoundland ancestors) with me through time-worn cemeteries. Some invited me into their homes, fed me, and listened patiently to my questions.

Everyone extended the ancient art of hospitality. I have truly been touched and blest by their graciousness.

Now is the time to share the results of this project.

Family history and genealogy is dynamic ... it is always a work in progress ... a living story ... and all good stories deserve to be told and re-told.

It is the telling and re-telling of that story that makes the ancestors "alive" and accessible.

This is the way I tell that story.

I dedicate this website to my maternal Grandmother: Johannah Joseph Brien (1900-1978). She never referred to herself by that name, and she probably never knew it was, in fact, her real baptismal name. She alway went by the name Anna O'Brien, and after she married, Anna Gorman.

She was my favorite and I hers. I still miss her fish-kisses.

Enjoy.

Bill Dorgan

 

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The name O'Brien in Ireland is among the ten most frequently found in the country. The name derives from the tenth century King of Ireland, Brian Boru and there were a number of Septs, the largest of which were based in Counties Clare, Limerick, Tipperary and Waterford. It is in these Counties that the majority of our ancestors and their descendants can still be found.

Spelling variations include: O'Brien, OBrine, O'Brion, O'Bryan, O'Bryen, McBrien, McBrine, Brian, Briand, Briant, Brine, Brines, Briens and many more.

In Newfoundland our ancestors were known as Brien. When they came to the US in the early 1900s they were always known as O'Brien.

Motto: Lamh laidir an Uachtar.

Motto Translated: The strong hand from above.

Crest: An arm holding a sword, issuing from a cloud.